Out of the box...

Change of plans, we are headed "up north" to get my MIL. So whoohoo! I get to go and wave at some cows on the way (nothing like road side entertainment, Wisconsin style). I'll leave you though with today's brain bender -- just for fun, we'll make it a twofer...

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An eight letter word appears below. Find it by beginning with the correct letter and moving around clockwise or counterclockwise using each letter only once.

S - - - - A - - - - S
- - - - - - - - - - -
E - - - - - - - - - S
- - - - - - - - - - -
S - - - - S - - - - E

and

Can you find the word that becomes plural when you add one "S" to it and becomes singular and changes gender when you add two "S's"?

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Okay, as always answers to follow in the comments. See you later!

Update: Og the Neanderpundit is today's double, extra smartypants!! Whoohoo! (Hey, do you 'spoze that Neanderpundits even wear pants? Huh. I guess smartyloincloth doesn't roll off the tongue quite as nicely. We'll stick with the pants for now...) ;)